1012 Eastwood Festival Center (7001 Crestwood Blvd, near Century Plaza), 591-1410
2152 Pelham Pkwy., Unit B (Hwy. 31), 444-1481
Inexpensive, casual, order-at-the-counter atmosphere. Pizza by the pie or by the slice, calzones, sandwiches, pasta, salads, more. No alcohol served. Great place for a quick lunch or family meal. One big plus -- you can order your slices with custom toppings.
Click here for Bhamdining.com review

757 Shades Mountain Plaza, Hoover (Bluff Park; across from Piggly WIggly)
822-4848
www.bakersfamouspizza.com
Frank Baker's family moved from Chicago in 1962, but apparently great pizza was in his blood already. He moved back to Chicago to learn the business from a Sicilian and his mother (who didn't even speak English). One of 10 semi-finalists in the Birmingham News' "Primo Pizza" contest in 2004. Delivery to surrounding areas.

2901 Second Ave. South, Downtown (Pepper Place)
731-6499
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Beer and wine; no reservations. Italian trattoria specializing in pizza made in the authentic Neopolitan style, with fresh-tasting tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella imported from Italy. In addition to pizza, you'll find build-your-own antipasti; salads; small plates such as grilled country bread with eggplant, peppers, basil and capers; and oven-roasted entrees and pastas. Like no other pizza in town.
Bhamdining.com Review (July 2007)

215 Helena Marketplace, Helena
621-5422
Buck's is a franchise with about 80 stores in 20 states. This is the only location in the Birmingham area, with about a half-dozen scattered around the state.

2031 Cahaba Road (English Village), Mountain Brook
871-2423
www.birminghammenus.com/cafeciao
Cafe Ciao is not strictly a pizza palace, but their pizzas are so good we had to list them here. From some of the best pepperoni and sausage to gourmet toppings like seafood and artichokes, with a zesty sauce and a crust that doesn't wilt. Located next door to parent restaurant Ciao, Cafe Ciao is a family place offering pizza, salads, sandwiches, calzones and a great selection of draft beer. Patio dining available.

181 Main St., Patton Creek Shopping Center (near Galleria)
403-7480
www.cafelazio.net
Owned by the same folks that own the popular Petrucelli's Italian eatery in Inverness. A December 2007 review in City Scene called it "casual and family friendly; however, dim lighting and a small bar area add atmosphere." The reviewer gave high marks for an appetizer of stuffed eggplant, antipasto, "loaded" pizza, calzones and tiramisu. Indoor and outdoor seating, full bar, hand-tossed pizza whole or by the slice, flatbread sandwiches, heroes, salads, calzones, pasta dishes.

238 Summit Blvd. (Off Hwy. 280 between Cahaba Heights/Vestavia and Inverness areas), 298-7931
3470 Galleria Circle, Hoover, 444-0777
www.cpk.com
OK, it's a chain, but not one you'll see on every corner, and the food is good, if a bit pricy. Designer pizzas offer everything from the traditional to the exotic, plus sandwiches and salads.

2012 Magnolia Ave. at Pickwick Place, Southside/Five Points South
930-9970
www.birminghammenus.com/cosmos
Gourmet pizza with unusual toppings such as goat cheese and alligator sausage. Sunday brunch featuring dishes such as shrimp and grits, Creole Eggs, Eggs Sardou, breakfast pizza, bagel with smoked salmon, Cajun Cobb salad, Cowboy Eggs. But the place too often smells like bathroom disinfectant. Go for the outdoor patio dining. One of five finalists in the Birmingham News' "Primo Pizza" contest, 2004.

2837 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook Village
879-8603
Dine in or carry out. Video games for the kids. Our favorite pizza in Birmingham. No fancy gourmet toppings here. The sauce is more tangy than zesty, with a thin crust, and what we think is provolone cheese rather than the usual stringy mozzarella. Cooked in old-fashioned pizza ovens and cut in squares rather than wedges, this is great pizza. Don't go too heavy on watery veggie toppings, or it will get mushy. We recommend the sausage. Pet peeve is they use canned mushrooms instead of fresh. Voted Best Pizza (Non-Chain) by Birmingham News readers in 2002.

1819 29th Ave. S., Homewood
871-3212
Beer, wine, mixed drinks. Enclosed patio, game room for the kids, courtyard dining. Offbeat decor features walls wallpapered with tabloid headlines. Beers on tap are a big draw. City Scene gave it high marks for garlic bread, Mediterranean BLT, and pizzas with traditional and gourmet toppings. Prices may seem a little high, but "Dave's offers inventive pizzas made generously with quality ingredients." Voted best local pizza joint in the Birmingham Magazine 2000 Best of Birmingham poll.